Topic: Using easyboot to create multiboot USB
started by: bugme
Posted by bugme on Nov. 27 2009,07:10
I understand the basic cocept of easyboot and was wondering if there is anything special to lookout for when creating a multiboot USB stick.Thats assuming it is possible to use easyboot to create a multiboot USB stick.
Posted by balder on Nov. 27 2009,08:52
@ bugmeQuote: “Thats assuming it is possible to use easyboot to create a multiboot USB stick”
EasyBoot doesn’t create a bootable USB stick
This is done with a program “out of the box” and with a script that I have created. I use the script engine “Winbuilder” to control script 
Quote: “is anything special to lookout for when creating a multiboot USB stick” Yes it is
You cannot launch set-up of WinXP/server-2003 or any of this NT-based family OP-systems in the same way as you normally do when EasyBoot is run from CD/DVD-unit. It’s a huge difference run EasyBoot from USB comparing to run EasyBoot from CD/DVD-unit in this perspective.
However, most part of “normal” use according to EasyBoot capabilities is that you still can use floppy images as usual. You can launch Acronis “rescue ISO-file(s)” with a breeze (for acronis read post-5 < HERE >)
Balder
Posted by bugme on Nov. 28 2009,03:23
Current situation:-1) Installed Fedora linux on my USB stick using the Fedora USB install program so my USB stick boots into Fedora and has a persistant file to save stuff on.
2) Added a couple of lines to the bottom of the H:\syslinux\syslinux.cfg file to start grub4dos
3) Used the info here < http://www.pendrivelinux.com/boot-multiple-iso-from-usb-multiboot-usb/ > to multiboot ISOs. I only really want to boot the ISOs here that dont need to save data so no need for any persistant files. So things like Ultimate Boot CD, pMagic etc. Problem with this is it only works on a few types of ISO images.
And so far this all works fine but it is a sort of a mish mash of methods. Basically I want one method of creating multiboot USB sticks that will work on anything, so:-
a) I have read that I can't partition a flash drive as it is removable media but I can get around this by removing the removable madia flag. Is there any reason NOT to do this and then treat the flash drive like any other drive and install other OSs on different partitions that way anything can be installed it does not have to have a live version, persistant files etc.
b) Any other 'better' method, say multiboot DVD style using something like MagicISO or eazyboot?
Posted by balder on Nov. 28 2009,04:02
@ bugmeQuote:” Basically I want one method of creating multiboot USB sticks that will work on anything”
Well you are not alone out there with this thoughts – I would bee the first one to jump high if such method was presented
But there is no such thing as a “free lunch” 
We have to stick to methods that are available at present time – and yes you are so right – it’s a mess 
Quote:” removing the removable madia flag”. Generally no problem. Note: I guess that there is perhaps other forum that is more aimed to discuss these issues than EasyBoot is
balder